The 12 Days of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas~On the first day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, a Snoop-Doggy double CD.~On the second day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, two nebbish moms.~On the third day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, three Wiccans.~On the fourth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, four malt liquors.~On the fifth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, five oy veys!~On the sixth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, six empty churches. Those were the folk that got sick of liturgical abuse.~On the seventh day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undetermined gender gave to me, seven moyles snipping.~On the eighth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undeterminded gender gave to me, eight satan tattoos.~On the ninth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undeterminded gender gave to me, nine Soul Train dancers. OH MAN! I thought sure he'd have included LITURGICAL dancers LOL!~On the tenth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undeterminded gender gave to me, ten poncho ladies. Poncho ladies, ewwwwwwwwwwww!~On the eleventh day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undeterminded gender gave to me, eleven Christ-less crèches.~On the twelfth day of SolstiKwanzUkkahMas, my significant other of undeterminded gender gave to me, twelve packs of Newport's. My wife's brand before we quit!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

I've boycotted three stations so far - WSNE-FM (aka "Coast 93.3", Providence), WWLI-FM (aka "Lite 105", Providence), and WODS (aka "Oldies 103.3", Boston) until December 26. Mind you - the first two are normally soft/lite rock stations, the third is normally 60's and 70's pop rock. All three started playing "Holiday favorites" (not even "Christmas favorites") 24/7 since November 13. Come on! How many times in one day can one possibly play "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree" and other such ilk?! At one time, you only heard this stuff 24/7 a day or two before Christmas, and before that, maybe one cut an hour. Now people get sick of Christmas by the time it gets here! Besides, if you're going to trash a Christmas song, for cripe sakes, at least be funny about it. If I want to hear that crap (especially in November), I'll walk the freakin' malls. (Oh well - there are still seven other stations out of the ten preset on my van radio - five of my wife's favorites, three soft rock and two country, five of mine, mainly classic rock and oldies.)

But even the malls (and other retail venues) aren't too polite, though some have improved. (Hat tip to Gerald, who got this from this)

Partial "Naughty List"Lowe's - Employees cannot say "Merry Christmas" to customers. Lowe's corporate advised that only when customers initiate a "Merry Christmas" greeting can employees respond in kind. (I'll have to make sure I jump in first then.)Toys 'R' Us - "Holidays" are in, "Merry Christmas" is out. (And Toys'R'Us is out!)Banana Republic - Web site has "Holiday Gift Guide" with no mention of Christmas. (Why do you think they call themselves "Banana Republic"?)Bed Bath & Beyond - No mention of any holidays. (We're going to have a sale like December 25 is just another day!)Barnes & Noble - Web site says "Gift Guide," "Holiday gift baskets," "Holiday sled," "Holiday delivery," but no Christmas. Stores not allowed to put up Christmas trees, and employees are not allowed to say "Merry Christmas." (Luckily, Borders is closer to home for me.)Best Buy - Web site says "Unique gifts for the season," "Holiday gift ideas." Spokesperson said the use of "Merry Christmas" is disrespectful. (I've yet to lose my respect for someone who says "Merry Christmas".)Dick's Sporting Goods - Web site says "gifts" and has images, but no mention of Christmas. (But of course not. It's one less day they get to go golfing.... I'M BEING SARCASTIC HERE FOLKS!!!)Eddie Bauer - Customer service would not recognize Christmas, they "don't want to offend Jews, those who celebrate Kwanza and those who have no religious preference." (Sure! So screw the majority instead, right?)Gap - "Holiday Survival Guide" with no mention of Christmas. (But how in the sam hell can you survive the holidays without CHRISTMAS???)Home Depot - Web site says "Holiday Store" and "Holiday Lighting" and only at bottom of site says "Make your Christmas decorations complete." Stores have "Holiday Home Accents." (It's amazing they even mention Christmas somewhere.)K-Mart - Selling "Holiday trees" and "Holiday wreaths." (singing - O holiday tree, O holiday tree, I think you're so annoying!)

Those store personnel who wish me "happy holidays" will be simply quizzed, "which one?" The chance of getting CHRISTMAS out of their mouths might just be 50/50. (There is one doctor in the same practice as our regular doctor who wears his yamika (sp) on duty. I make it a point to wish him "happy Hanukkah".)

Finally, here's some politically correct crud I made up:Take rest, you merry human-folk, let nothing you dismay,Remember, Christ our Savior was born this holiday,(That's what the ACLU and similar ilk want it to come to, you know.)

Monday, November 27, 2006

One of Amy's readers at Open Book figured on this..."Is it just possible that the mockery heaped on it through the hysterical Colbert YouTube video has laid that little number to rest?"

I can't speak for other parishes, but I can safely say that NONE of us here at Christus Vincit used it. I stopped using it long before the Colbert clip, to be honest with you all. The last time I heard it, it was accompanied on the piano, and I was thinking the Atlanta Braves Chop in hearing it.

Here's that lovely video (ha ha). BTW, don't let Cdl. Mahony or his crew get a hold of this video. They may just hire Colbert for the '07 Mahonyfest (or the Los Angeles Religious Education Conference).

Intro:Shamus' snow machine malfunctions on Thanksgiving DayFeasts for the Week:St. Andrew the ApostleMusic Lists:Thanksgiving and Christ the King

Music:

For the Beauty of the Earth (tune: Dix)To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King (refrain / tune: Ich Glaub an Gott)Three settings of Christus Vincit (Ambrosian Chant as found in The New St. Basil Hymnal; Roman Version as found in The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book, 1941 Supplement; and a setting written by yours truly in 1999)A brand spankin' new organ impromptu performed by yours truly, based on the Ambrosian Christus Vincit.

A couple of really cool tidbits I want to share:1. On Friday, December 8 (Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception), our offertory anthem will be sung by an eight-year-old. The eight-year-old daughter of one of our choir members has Schubert's Ave Maria NAILED - in B-flat (yes, she hits those high F's clean).2. On Sunday, December 10 (II Advent), the television Mass for the diocese of Fall River will feature yours truly at the organ console. This is the same television Mass I took part in last spring. I was invited once again by Fr. Thomas Kocik, noted author of The Reform of the Reform?, who is celebrating Mass that weekend. BTW, I don't miss Mass at Holy Ghost over this. This Mass is actually being recorded this Saturday, December 2. More as this develops.

Yes, dear friends, beginning next weekend, we are eliminating the recessional hymn in favour of the Hymn of Thanksgiving after communion. This is a "pilot program" that the rector and I will evaluate before Lent to decide if this will be a permanent change. I brought the idea out of mental deep-freeze and posed it to him last week, as the Masses have been getting a bit longer since we had to implement the change regarding purification.

Below are a couple of AFTER pics of the inside. The first comes from News 8 Austin. The second, a close-up of the sanctuary, courtesy of The New Liturgical Movement. BTW, the reredos is quite nice. Click on it for a better size.

Only one disappointment: on the video clip from News 8 Austin, one cannot help but ask, WHERE'S THE DANG ORGAN??? The hymn (We Gather Together) was fine, but it was on piano. If you're going to build a church like that, you think you'd at least have a fine pipe organ to support the singing in an otherwise very nice looking church!!!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Judging by how you talk you are probably from north Jersey, New York City, Connecticut or Rhode Island. Chances are, if you are from New York City (and not those other places) people would probably be able to tell if they actually heard you speak.

Pretty accurate description - even got my home state right. Just an hour north of me, you and your friend Bawb can shell out fawty bucks apiece for cheap seats at Fenway Pahk and watch the Red Sawx kick some butt. :)

And yes, I will be singing and playing today for St. Cecilia Day, in the context of Holy Mass --- albeit a funeral.

Michael Lawrence gives us a really good idea here:I think it's appropriate that we pause today to pray to her for the continued renewal of sacred music, a movement which seems to be gaining momentum with each passing day. We should also give thanks to God for all that has been accomplished through St. Cecilia's intercession. (I think another contributor to this blog could testify to the effects of her intercession.)

Monday, November 20, 2006

Orders from the Vatican (as declared by Francis Cardinal Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments: PRO MULTIS means FOR MANY, not FOR ALL! Alter your translations accordingly!

Saturday, November 18, 2006

John Reeves writes this for the New Liturgical Movement (hat tip to Gerald):Last Thursday evening, Archbishop Burke celebrated a mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis for the Pueri Cantares, the Church's official program for children's choirs. There was a huge turnout. More or less every parish children's choir in Missouri and even in central Illinois filled the church's pews. They provided all the main singing. The Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei were all sung in Latin (the Kyrie being in Greek, obviously), Gregorian Chant, and it was done absolutely beautifully. The Introit, while not the psalm proper to the feast that day, was nevertheless a psalm with the traditional Antiphon, Gloria, etc.Archbishop Burke gave a homily that could easily have been mistaken for Tra le Sollecitudini itself. He extolled the importance of Gregorian Chant and Sacred Polyphony, and warned that it would be a huge mistake and huge regret if we were to abandon the Church's musical tradition for what is considered "popular" by modern-day culture.What I found most striking about this entire mass was that this was not something done in an obscure parish that everyone tries to ignore. Nor was it even something that the Archbishop "permitted" as a kind of "concession." This took place right in the Mother Church of St. Louis, under the guidance of the Archbishop itself. And perhaps more importantly, the main people who sang and who heard his homily were all children/young adults, ranging from grade school to high school. These young Catholics were all singing Gregorian Chant, and were being taught on the importance of the Church's musical tradition, and to be wary of attempts to "popularize" sacred music.This was the Reform of the Reform in one of its strongest manifestations yet. And it was directed at young Catholics! This is the age group that has so often been lied to and deceived about the need to be "hip" and "cool." These choirs are being taught traditional music, and I know that this will have nothing but positive reprecussions in the years to come. The Reform of the Reform is in full swing in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

This is well-put, and this does not surprise me about Archbishop Burke. He has done very well for his flock at St. Louis. He is really setting the standard for archdioceses (even those led by Cardinals) and dioceses throughout North America. The music at their Cathedral Basilica is quite good too. They used to post it on their website, but the link is broken as I write this. I did, however, discover this new link to the Cathedral Basilica's Music Program, which includes concerts and Sunday Mass music. One click on the Cathedral Music Programs link will lead you to all you need to know about the choirs and their music at Mass.

At Providence's Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, the 10:00 Mass on Sunday includes the Mass Ordinary chants in Latin (Jubilate Deo). The last chance I had to attend there was in 2004. They were still getting started with the chant Mass then, so hymns were still being used at the Introit, Offertory, Communion, and Recessional (all traditional the day I went, except for the Offertory - Deiss' Priestly People). I haven't had the chance to see if anything new evolved since October 2004.

Now, Oakland's Bishop Vigneron, despite the forthcoming cathedral there being butt ugly (Bp. Vigneron didn't create that mess, btw; he inherited it from his predecessor), has some really good views on sacred music. His proposal was no exception. This from Open Book:He proposed a process similar to the conformity guidelines for catechetical textbooks. His point was "what we sing at the liturgy is a liturgical text." He said the bishops should take a serious approach to these texts, and proposed a central conformity review process. If something like that didn't happen, he said, he feared that the music directory idea, as proposed, would be inadequate to meet the call of Liturgiam Authenticam.

But of course, Erie's Bishop Trautman and the majority of bishops rejected the idea. But worse is that the eerie Bishop of Erie and pals found it better to just pass the buck to those archbishops whose archdioceses are home to the hottest selling (read: popular, politically correct, not necessarily liturgically correct) publishers in AmericanCatholic worship aids. Forget the St. Louis Archdiocese, home of Adoremus and the Adoremus Hymnal (and forget that Archbishop Burke is one of the best U.S. prelates in terms of liturgical savvy). Forget the St. Cloud Diocese, where the Liturgical Press resides. (OK - I paraphrased part of Todd's comment from Amy's article, but he's right.)

The sad truth is that this: the "core repertoire" that was to be developed was to consist of 200 hymns/songs/whatever. Note the word "core". No parish will be limited to this list. Even if the "core repertoire" consisted of 200 of the most theologically sound hymn texts set to solid tunes, people on the progressive front will interpret that as "it's ok to enter the insipid". My biggest fear at this pace is that the "core repertoire" will consist mainly of "greatesthits". Gerald at The Cafeteria Is Closed, a man fluent in German and of Austrian origin, translates "traut man" as "trust him". However, in the case of the eerie fish person, he rightly states, "Dem traut man nicht", meaning "one trusts him not".

This new guitar has me thinking one of two things:1. What Brian Robert (my son) was thinking: that the Wiggles have officially killed Rock and Roll, or2. What Brian Michael (yours truly) was thinking: the new official instrument of the 2007 Los Angeles Religious Education Conference

Hat tip to Matt at Absolutely No Spin. BTW, welcome, Matt, to the Christus Vincit Definitive Blogroll! He actually had mentioned our blog on a couple of occasions back in March and I never knew it till now.

Monday, November 13, 2006

You can listen below, or save the file by clicking here. (35:49/24.6 MB)

Today we celebrate the "double-nickels". As a special feature, we explore certain worship aids and discover which piece of music in each is "number 55".

We also played catch-up on our Wish List, where we seek out the really good titles in the Oregon Catholic Press search engine that should be (but are not) in the Music Issue or Missal Programs. Today's list: 33 songs. Total running count after today: 235 songs.

Feasts for the Week:

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini; St. Albert the Great; St. Margaret of Scotland; St. Gertrude;St. Elizabeth of Hungary;Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul (both in Rome);St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Of course, the Pope makes the final selection. But how does he know who he's picking?Find out in this article from the Diocese of Salt Lake City (who is still awaiting a bishop since now-Archbishop Niederauer took assignment in San Francisco last winter).

The other day, I was going through links and what not and stumbled onto this article on podcasting by Stuart Robinson, from the website of none other than the Royal School of Church Music. Now, to get an unsolicited review from a distinguished academy such as the RSCM, positive or negative, is a compliment in my eyes. But this is what Mr. Robinson wrote on July 13, 2006 (mind you: link shown is to the old feed, which was active at the time of print):

Perhaps the most off-the-wall is 'Christus Vincit Podcasting' (www.christusvincit.net) described as 'Liturgy, Music and Fun' by Brian Michael Page, and fun it certainly is in places. The subject matter is wide ranging from music for funeral masses, and the exploration of the hymn catalogue of St Thomas Aquinas, to the plainsong used at Page's church on Rhode Island, and a home-made recording of the hymn 'Let all mortal flesh keep silence' sung to Picardy. It is also described as 'the diary and musings of some snarky madman music ministers' (sic). Brace yourself: Mr Page is not short of opinions, but neither does he seem to take himself too seriously!

The whole idea is to "keep it fun", you see. Oh, as for the recording of Let All Mortal Flesh - that wasn't my homemade recording, but that of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Fugli, who is one of my regular artists I draw from at the Podsafe Music Network, a network where "podsafe", or "royalty-free" music, is used in podcasts - legally. I will admit to being a bit unique in choosing "podsafe" music. I do make it a point to program one "podsafe" song in about 80-90% of our shows. But, here's where the "unique" comes in: while many Catholic podcasters will choose a "podsafe" song of the acoustic genre (or what many call "contemporary Christian"), which is perfectly fine (remember, this is podcasting we're talking here, not Holy Mass), I tend to branch from that. For example, Fugli plays stringed instruments of the medeival period and often performs as a minstrel for medeival-themed faires. I've programmed some classical as well, including all four movements of a Telemann sonata as played by teen trombonist Josh Jacobson. Another recent favorite I've found is Johnny Proctor, whose style resembles that of Jan and Dean and the early Beach Boys.

This may or may not help Mr. Robinson in terms of the copyright issue. Another thing too is that there aren't too many people crazy enough to tackle a platform like this (Liturgy, Music, AND Fun). Many Catholic podcasters podcast on --- well, Catholicism. You don't find much on liturgy, let alone liturgical music. Nor do we get the audience that many of the more theologically-themed podcasters get (I work for one of them, remember), but that's ok. Being able to podcast "Liturgy, Music, and Fun" is FUN. And blogging on it is triple the fun, as I'm joined here by Nick and Jason (the latter is enjoying some dirty martinis and more as I write this).

Latest additions to the esteemed Harvard Dictionary of Music:ALLREGRETTO: When you're 16 measures into the piece and realize youtook too fast a tempoANGUS DEI: To play with a divinely beefy toneA PATELLA: Accompanied by knee-slappingAPPOLOGGIATURA: A composition that you regret playingAPPROXIMATURA: A series of notes not intended by the composer, yetplayed with an "I meant to do that" attitudeAPPROXIMENTO: A musical entrance that is somewhere in the vicinity ofthe correct pitchCACOUGHANY: A composition incorporating many people with chest coldsCORAL SYMPHONY: A large, multi-movement work from Beethoven'sCaribbean PeriodDILL PICCOLINI: An exceedingly small wind instrument that plays onlysour notesFERMANTRA: A note held over and over and over and over and . . .FERMOOTA: A note of dubious value held for indefinite lengthFIDDLER CRABS: Grumpy string playersFLUTE FLIES: Those tiny mosquitoes that bother musicians on outdoor gigsFRUGALHORN: A sensible and inexpensive brass instrumentGAUL BLATTER: A French horn playerGREGORIAN CHAMP: The title bestowed upon the monk who can hold a notethe longestGROUND HOG: Someone who takes control of the repeated bassline andwon't let anyone else play itPLACEBO DOMINGO: A faux tenorSCHMALZANDO: A sudden burst of music from the Guy Lombardo bandTHE RIGHT OF STRINGS: Manifesto of the Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to ViolistsSPRITZICATO: An indication to string instruments to produce a brightand bubbly soundTEMPO TANTRUM: What an elementary school orchestra is having when it'snot following the conductor (also common in municipal bands andcommunity orchestras)TROUBLE CLEF: Any clef one can't read: e.g., alto clef for pianistsVESUVIOSO: An indication to build up to a fiery conclusionVIBRATTO: Child prodigy son of the concertmasterAN-DANTE: A tempo that's infernally slowANTIPHONAL: Referring to the prohibition of cell phones in the concert hallBAR LINE: What musicians form after the concertBASSO CONTINUO: When musicians are still fishing long after the legalseason has endedBEN SOSTENUTO: First cousin of the second trombonistCADENZA: Something that happens when you forget what the composer wroteCANTABILE: To achieve a complaining sound, as if you have a sourstomachCOL LEGNO: An indication to cellists to hold on tight with their lower extremitiesCON SORDINO: An indication to string players to bow in a slashing,rapier motionESPRESSIVO: Used to indicate permission to take a coffee breakL'ISTESSO TEMPO: An indication to play listlessly; e.g., as if youdon't careMAESTRO: A person who, standing in front of the orchestra and/orchorus, is able to follow them preciselyOPERA BUFFA: A musical stage production performed by nudistsPASTORALE: The beverage to drink in the country when listening toBeethoven with a member of the clergyPESANTE: An effect distinctly non-upper-classPISSICATO: Too much coffee -- time to take a breakRUBATO: A cross between a rhubarb and a tomatoSTRINGENDO: An unpleasant effect produced by the violin section whenit doesn't use vibratoVIBRATO: A device to assist female performers who have trouble whenthe music is marked "con espressivo"

2. From Jim (JScola):

This link to musicforliturgy.org. On the most part, it isn't bad at all. It's music by Robert Loretz, offered by the composer free of charge for non-commercial use (e.g., parish setting). Though I was a bit turned off by the "Gathering" category (and yes, all the music in the "gathering" category is "gathering-themed"), I particularly liked the Psalms. A good chunk of the music is chant-like (a very good thing). Overall, (less the "gathering") I find it very good. Check it out.

On a note from the Christus Vincit Health Department (we have one of those???), I took my stress test today. I must have done ok. I got home in one piece, and about two hours sooner than I expected. I'll know the outcome by next Monday the latest.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Excerpt (emphasis mine):In an hourlong, often humorous, address that received several standing ovations, Arinze suggested that, in order to give Catholics options, large parishes offer the Mass in Latin at least once a week, and in smaller, rural parishes, at least once a month. (Homilies, he said, should always be in the faithful's native language.) Latin "suits a church that is universal. It has a stability modern languages don't have," he said.

Friday, November 10, 2006

After the week of joy: a vigil Mass, a holy day of obligation, a holy day, Benediction, a wedding, a Sunday vigil, Sunday Masses, a trumpet & organ recital (hosting, playing, and stage crew), a French Mass, a wedding, a hard-drive crash (lost all my files), a disturbingly needy boss (that's getting spooky..more later), a 2-bulletin crunch week (thanks to J.S. Paluch and their famous "holiday" schedule), and 4 worship leaflet re-do's (thanks to the hard-drive crash), Jason is going on a 7 night cruise aboard the Mariner of Seas with some organist friends from South Carolina and Atlanta. I intend to try at least 7 of each of the items pictured in the above left-hand corner. The plane leaves for Orlando on Saturday morning. Finally, Summer break is here.....

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

NOTE: to get your creation to JPG/GIF format, you need to do a screen capture (Ctrl + Print Screen, or Shift + Print Screen), then you need to paste it into an image editor (i.e. PhotoShop, ThumbsPlus, maybe even Microsoft Paint) and crop it down to just your kid.

Vatican City, Nov. 06, 2006 (CNA) - Sources close the Holy See are saying that during his upcoming visit to the St. Cecilia Music Academy Pope Benedict XVI may address the need to recover the quality of sacred music in the liturgical life of the Church.The feast of St. Cecilia, patroness of music, will be celebrated on November 22, and the Pontiff has announced that during that week he intends to visit the academy of music in Rome that bears the saint’s name.According to Vatican sources consulted by the Catholic News Agency, the Holy Father, who has expressed his concern over liturgical music, may address the need to recover the place of sacred music, “both Gregorian and polyphonic,” in the Catholic liturgy.“This pronouncement could even take the form of a ‘Motu Propio,’ an official document issued on the Holy Father’s own initiative,” sources said.Since the election of Pope Benedict XVI, sacred music has been given greater attention in the Roman liturgy.On November 19, as part of the year of Mozart—one of Pope’s favorite composers—Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, will preside at a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, in which the famous Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna will present Mozart’s Mass of Coronation.Although no time has been official allotted for remarks by the Holy Father, it is possible he will address the faithful at the conclusion of the liturgical celebration.

All material posted here (including, but not limited to, snarky remarks) are made by members of Epistles from the Scriptorium unless otherwise specified. They are not made by Holy Mother Church, nor by our dioceses, nor by our parishes.
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